Notable deaths around nation, world as of March 11, 2012

View full sizeThe Associated Press/1965Actress Debbie Reynolds poses with brothers Robert B. Sherman (left) and Richard M. Sherman, who received Academy Awards for their music to "Mary Poppins."

Robert B. Sherman, 86, of London, who wrote the tongue-twisting "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and other enduring songs for Disney classics, died March 5. He and his brother Richard M. Sherman composed film scores such as "The Jungle Book" and "Winnie the Pooh" and Broadway musicals including "Over Here!" The brothers also wrote the most-played tune on Earth, "It's a Small World After All." They won two Oscars and a Grammy for "Mary Poppins"

James Q. Wilson, 80, of Boston, a political scientist whose "broken windows" theory on crime-fighting emphasized attacking small problems to prevent bigger ones, died March 2 of leukemia. He and co-author George L. Kelling influenced a nationwide move toward community policing. Wilson taught at Harvard for 26 years, then at UCLA, Pepperdine and Boston College. He wrote on topics ranging from marriage to bureaucracy and paid tribute to the "Calvin and Hobbes" cartoonist.

Retired Army Col. Van Thomas Barfoot, 92, of Richmond, Va., a World War II veteran who made headlines for his fight to fly an American flag in his front yard, died March 2 of injuries from a fall. He won the Medal of Honor for killing seven German soldiers and capturing 17 others in a breakout from an Anzio beachhead; he also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. His effort against a homeowners association led to a state law making it tougher to restrict flag flying.

Don Mincher, 73, of Huntsville, Ala., a former Southern League president and 13-year major league player, died March 4. He played for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, California Angels, Seattle Pilots and Washington Senators. He was twice named an American League All-Star. He also served as general manager, broadcaster and owner of the Double-A Huntsville Stars.

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, 77, of Newark, N.J., a Democrat known for his work for human rights and the poor, died March 6 of cancer. He was elected in 1988 after working as a teacher, insurance executive and city councilor. He served as chairman of the House subcommittee on Africa and traveled often to that continent. He also was chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and a congressional delegate to the United Nations.

Ralph McQuarrie, 82, of Berkeley, Calif., the artist who developed the look of the first "Star Wars" trilogy's signature characters, sets and spaceships, died March 3 after Parkinson's disease. He also contributed illustrations to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "E.T.," "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Star Trek IV," and he won an Oscar for "Cocoon." The Korean War veteran was a technical illustrator at Boeing before his film career took off.

Norman St John-Stevas, 82, of London, a politician noted for his wit, extravagance and opposition to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, died March 2. He served more than 20 years in the House of Commons before being elevated to the House of Lords. He was an expert on Britain's unwritten constitution and reorganized parliamentary committees to review the government's performance. He also was chairman of the Royal Fine Art Commission and master of a Cambridge college.

Maurice Andre, 78, of Bayonne, France, a virtuoso who turned the trumpet into a sought-after solo instrument on its own and with an orchestra, died Feb. 25. He began as a coal miner but joined a military band to study free at a Paris conservatory. He played in several French orchestras before embarking on a solo career around the world. He specialized in Baroque composers and made hundreds of recordings.

Casey Keltz, 79, of Butte, Mont., a former Montana Western men's basketball coach and athletics director, died March 4 after cancer. He coached the football team before taking over the basketball squad. He twice took the Bulldogs to the NAIA tournament, and his 1989 team upset defending champion Grand Canyon University before falling in a second-round game. He retired in 1996 with 409 wins in 28 years.

Marcos "Marquitos" Alonso Imaz, 78, of Madrid, a defender who helped the Real Madrid club win a record five straight European Cups, died March 6. He also helped Madrid secure the 1960 Intercontinental Cup plus six Spanish league titles after joining from Racing Santander. He twice played for Spain. His grandson, Marcos Alonso, currently plays for English club Bolton.

Steve Bridges, 48, of Los Angeles, a comic impressionist best known for portraying former President George W. Bush, was found dead March 3. His Bush routine made him a regular on "The Tonight Show" and earned an invitation to the White House and a duo appearance with Bush. He also impersonated President Bill Clinton, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other public figures.

Ronnie Montrose, 64, of Millbrae, Calif., a rock guitarist who formed the band that bore his name, died March 3 of cancer. Montrose's first lineup in 1973 included bassist Bill Church, drummer Denny Carmassi and singer Sammy Hagar. He performed with heavy hitters including Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. He was working on a new DVD and a U.S. tour.

James T. "Jimmy" Ellis, 74, of Rock Hill, S.C., who belted out "Burn, baby, burn!" in a disco hit that's still played in sports arenas, died March 8. He was the frontman for The Trammps, who released "Disco Inferno" in 1976. The song was featured in the movie "Saturday Night Fever," which won a top album Grammy for its soundtrack in 1978.

Alex Webster, 80, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., a star running back and later coach for the New York Giants, died March 3 of cancer. The former North Carolina State star, known as "Big Red," played for New York in 1955-64 and was the head coach in 1969-1973. He was fifth on the franchise list with 4,638 yards rushing and ran for 39 touchdowns. He earlier played for Montreal in the Canadian Football League.

Benedict Freedman, 92, of Los Angeles, who with his wife, Nancy, wrote the best-seller "Mrs. Mike," died Feb. 24. The couple wrote a total of 10 books, including two sequels to the 1947 novel of a young American woman who married a Canadian Mountie. "Mrs. Mike" also inspired a Hollywood movie. He also wrote for radio and television programs and served as a mathematics professor at Occidental College.

Maxwell Keith, 87, of Los Angeles, who defended two members of the Manson family at trial in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca killings, died March 6 after pneumonia. He was a deputy district attorney before entering private law practice. He argued that Leslie Van Houten and Charles "Tex" Watson were brainwashed by Charles Manson into killing director Roman Polanski's pregnant wife and six others. They were convicted and given death sentences, which later were commuted to life.

William Heirens, 83, from Chicago, who confessed to one of the city's most shocking slayings and served more prison time than any other Illinois state inmate, died March 5. He was dubbed the "Lipstick Killer" for a message scrawled in lipstick at a victim's home. As a 17-year-old University of Chicago student and petty burglar, he admitted stabbing two women and strangling and dismembering a 6-year-old girl. He earned a college degree but never argued his way out of prison.

John Panelli, 85, of Beverly Hills, Mich., a former Notre Dame running back and NFL player, died March 2. He played on Notre Dame's 1946 and 1947 national championship teams, averaging 7.5 yards a carry his senior year. He was a first-round draft pick for Detroit, playing two seasons with the Lions and three with the Chicago Cardinals. He later started J.R. Panelli Equipment Co.

Wlodzimierz Smolarek, 54, of Aleksandrow Lodzki, Poland, a striker who was part of the Poland team that finished third at the 1982 World Cup, died March 7. He scored 13 goals in 60 games for Poland between 1980 and 1992. He began his club career at Widzew Lodz; he also played for Borussia Dortmund in Germany and for Feyenoord and FC Utrecht in the Netherlands.